Keep getting run a round with phil long Ford ( takata recall ) nothing happen to my car yet phil long Ford will not honor recall almost one year has pass.
2006 Ford Fusion airbags problems
severe 311 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
311
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
24crashes
25injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 311 airbags complaints filed for the 2006 Ford Fusion, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Airbags accounts for 43% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 311 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: A used 2006 Fusion buyer needs to verify that the Takata passenger-side airbag recall (16V-384/17V-024) has been completed—parts availability was critically delayed, and some vehicles may never have been repaired. Independently verify airbag system function before purchase, as some owners experienced non-deployment during actual crashes or warning light defects even after recall service.
The 2006 Fusion's airbag system has generated sustained complaints centered on Takata inflator defects and service delays. The primary issue is the Takata passenger-side frontal airbag inflator (recall 16V-384, issued in 2014–2016), which carries rupture risk in a crash. Owners received recall letters but dealers repeatedly stated parts were unavailable. This stretched into years—some owners waited from 2014 to 2019 or beyond with no completion date provided. Ford and dealers gave conflicting timelines; parts were supposed to arrive in "spring 2018" or "late 2018" but didn't. TK Holdings (Takata) filed bankruptcy in October 2017, adding uncertainty.
Beyond recall delays, owners documented airbags that failed to deploy during actual collisions—both driver-side and passenger-side. Impact ranged from fractured ribs and head trauma to spinal injuries requiring surgery. One owner was hit, suffered non-deployment, had recall notice on file, then was charged $536 out-of-pocket for driver-side replacement the dealer claimed wasn't covered.
Dashboard bulging on the passenger side and exposed airbag components were common, and the problem worsened with heat. Some owners reported airbag warning lights staying illuminated even after attempted repairs. One rare case involved spontaneous passenger airbag deployment at low speed without impact, injuring the passenger. Dealers were inconsistent on diagnostics and charged fees that sometimes prevented diagnosis from being completed.
Same Ford Fusion airbags reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Takata passenger-side airbag inflator rupture risk (Safety recall 16V-384/17V-024)
Passenger-side frontal airbag inflators manufactured by Takata may rupture during deployment in a crash, potentially sending metal fragments into occupants. This is the primary recall affecting 2006 Fusion models. Remedy parts remained unavailable for years—owners received initial recall notices starting in 2014–2016 but faced extended waits (2–4+ years) with repeated dealer and manufacturer statements that parts were not in stock and no firm timeline for availability.
When: Recall notices issued 2014–2016; parts unavailability extended through at least 2019
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard bulging or separation on passenger side; Airbag warning indicator illuminated; Exposed airbag components visible in dashboard; Dealers unable to complete repairs due to parts shortage
Codes mentioned: 16V-384, 17V-024, NHTSA 16V384000, NHTSA 17V024000, 16S26, Takata DIRS 16E-042, 16E-043, 16E-044
Repairs/costs cited: Remedy called for replacement of passenger frontal airbag inflator assembly. No charge to owner. However, parts remained unavailable for years. TK Holdings (Takata subsidiary) filed for bankruptcy in October 2017. Some owners received conflicting information about whether driver-side airbag was also under recall and were charged out-of-pocket for driver-side replacement ($536.41 cited in one case).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford issued recall notices (16S26/16V-384, 17V-024) but remedy parts availability was severely delayed or never materialized during the period covered by these narratives. Dealers placed owners on waiting lists with no estimated completion date. TK Holdings bankruptcy filing in 2017. Some owners reported Ford suggested class-action settlement language that required written opt-out within a specific deadline, despite years of unresolved recalls.
Airbag non-deployment in crashes
Multiple owners reported that one or both frontal airbags failed to deploy during actual vehicle collisions. Some of these failures occurred on vehicles that had received recall notices (suggesting inflator defects were already known) or on vehicles not yet serviced under recall. Injuries ranged from minor to severe (head trauma, spinal injuries, emergency surgery required).
When: Failures occurred at various mileages and years; cases documented from 2007 to 2018
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during frontal or side-impact crashes; Partial deployment with minimal inflation; Driver-side airbags did not deploy while passenger-side deployed (asymmetrical failure); Absence of warning lights prior to crash in some cases
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 16V384000
Repairs/costs cited: One owner was charged $536.41 out-of-pocket for driver-side replacement after dealer claimed recall only covered passenger side. In crash cases, vehicle damage was severe ($17,000+ in one case) but airbag system was not diagnostically evaluated or repair was not completed. Vehicles towed or impounded; repair status unknown.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified of non-deployment failures but offered limited assistance. In one case, Ford referred owner to NHTSA hotline. In another, manufacturer stated they could not diagnose the failure and no further assistance was offered. Dealers confirmed that diagnostic fees applied; diagnosis was not performed in some cases due to cost.
Airbag warning indicator malfunction or false illumination
Owners reported that the passenger-side (or driver-side) airbag warning light remained illuminated continuously or intermittently, even on vehicles not involved in accidents and with no visible damage. In one case, the warning light persisted after a Takata recall airbag replacement, suggesting the replacement part itself was defective or installation was faulty.
When: Various; one case documented warning light illuminated 'soon after' Takata airbag replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger-side airbag warning indicator illuminated while occupied or unoccupied; Warning light remained on indefinitely with no diagnostic code available; Airbag warning light came on 3 weeks prior; no prior accident; Warning light illuminated after recent Takata replacement part installed
Codes mentioned: No diagnostic trouble code (DTC) appeared in some cases, NHTSA 19V904000 (service brakes, hydraulic—mentioned in one case alongside airbag issues)
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic determined one replaced airbag was defective and needed replacement. Dealers were unable to diagnose in some cases because no DTC was present. Sensor replacement parts were ordered but availability was uncertain. One vehicle remained in dealer possession due to other recalls (brakes) while airbag was also unresolved.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified in most cases. Dealers placed orders for replacement parts but could not provide timelines. One case involved attempted diagnosis without completion due to cost.
Spontaneous passenger-side airbag deployment without impact
One owner reported that the passenger-side frontal airbag deployed without warning or impact while the vehicle was being driven at a low speed (20 mph). The occupant in the passenger seat sustained injuries. This is distinct from non-deployment failures and suggests a separate defect in the airbag control/triggering system.
When: Failure mileage approximately 204,789 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deployed without warning or impact while driving; Airbag warning indicator illuminated; Occupant in passenger seat sustained injuries (face, chest, leg, eye injuries)
Codes mentioned: No specific code cited
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was taken to Baytown Ford for diagnosis; diagnostics were performed but owner was not informed of results. Vehicle was then driven to owner's residence.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was not notified of this failure.
Dashboard damage and airbag component exposure related to recall
Owners reported that the passenger-side dashboard foam padding protruded or bulged outward, and in some cases the airbag components were visibly exposed. This damage was associated with Takata recall issues and affected the structural integrity of the front passenger airbag area. The bulging worsened over time with heat exposure.
When: Noticed 'a couple years' prior to complaint; damage progressed over time with seasonal heat
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard bulging and separating on passenger side; Airbag components protruding out of position; Dashboard foam padding protruded; Bulge became larger with heat exposure; parts began to separate
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 16V384000, NHTSA 17V024000
Repairs/costs cited: Owners were advised not to allow passengers in the front seat pending repair. No repair was completed due to parts unavailability.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall notices (16V-384, 17V-024) issued; remedy not available. Ford advised in December 2017 letter that no one should sit in front passenger seat until repair was made.
Synthesized from 311 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 12 most recent
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Ford fusion. Upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated while driving. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v384000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact…
When will there be a fix for the air bags?
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Ford fusion. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v384000 (air bags). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (Ford motor company, p.o. Box 1904, dearborn, michigan 48121) was contacted and confirmed that the parts…
Takata recall I received a notice to have my air bags replaced and I have gotten in touch with the people who was suppose to replace them and was told I have to file a complaint with you to get anything done about it.
"takata recall"inflators airbags NHTSA campaign no:16v384000. Notice given for recall parts repair. Car bought at lance cunningham Ford in knoxvilletenn.37912. Claim 11046623. Incidident date-01-jun-2016 component part for air-bag may be a safety risk of injury or death. Our home no. Is 865-984-9790. 410 fletcher st. Maryville,tn 37804
Takata recall: about two years ago I received a recall notice from Ford. No remedy to date and calls to the local dealer are not fruitful. Yesterday I got a safety recall that said "remedy parts" would be available in spring 2018 and until then I should not use the front passenger seat. Now the car is less usable for my family and it cannot be sold. I expect a better remedy than "don't use our…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Ford fusion. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v384000 (air bags). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (Ford motor company, p.o box 1904, dearborn, michigan 48121) was contacted and confirmed that the parts…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford fusion. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the driver's door opened while driving. The contact stated that this was a recurring issue. In addition, the contact stated that the air bag light remained illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 127,000. ...updated 02/19/16 *bf *tr
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Ford fusion. The contact stated that the dashboard area foam padding protruded on the front passenger side, which affected the integrity of the front passenger air bag components. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v024000 (air bags) and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the…
Had airbags trouble with your 2006 Ford Fusion?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2006 Ford Fusion?
It's a meaningful issue. 311 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 68 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 62,000 and 132,000 miles, with the median around 105,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 62,000; a quarter make it past 132,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Ford/Fusion.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.